Looks like it's going to be a beauty...can't wait to see it. I just loved mine and Grafitti is quite possibly the "daddy" of my Papilio seedlings which are doing quite well...I'm sure you have great plans for it's pollens as I'm sure there will be plenty....

Donna

Sorry, I think I spelled it wrong...Graffiti....

New Picture, I think "Graffiti" and "Giraffe" are both wonderful cultivars :)

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More Pictures :)

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Josh

You captured the beauty of one of my faves. The H. Papilio influenced hybrids are among my treasured Hippies. I'm so glad you joined us on the on the "dark side". ;-)

Jim

Jim,

Thanks :) I'm really loving the dark side, let me tell ya! I've pollinated "Graffiti" with Hippeastrum reticulatum var. striatifolium, we will see if this yields any seed!?! I'm hoping as the H. papilio influence may transpose and I could ONLY imagine what the outcome could be :)

Josh

Josh, Very Very Lovely....You have arrived.........Don't you just love the Papilio shape? Is the color true on these pictures because I think mine bloomed a bit more on the yellow side....but as I look at it again I can see a little pink in yours so I'm thinking it is just your camera....just beautiful!!

Donna

Donna,

Mine is a bit more green actually. My camera photographed it more white, I'm assuming the coloring of the *LIGHT* bulbs in the room I took the picture isn't correct for picture taking. It isn't too off, but enough for me to notice :) I think I need a bit more of a "soft" yellow in the room.

This beautiful this hippeastrum

Hi guys,

I edit the pictures so the pink wasn't as prominent, the computer is showing the pictures differently than my camera but I think I've got it figured out :)

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Josh, The first one is still quite pink, try taking some more pictures in the day time without the black background...with and without the flash. I must say your flowers have an exquisite shape..their form is outstanding. Mine were rather strangely misshapen but I chalked it up to their being stressed. The color on mine is true though, as I don't edit the colors on any of my photos, I just keep taking pictures until I get what I think is true. Hope you don't mind my posting my pictures on your thread. I can't wait to have a bloom on a well rooted bulb...my bulb sat all summer without leaves, I thought it was a gonner, I pulled it out of the pot and it was well rooted so I just continued to wait, and about 6 weeks ago it finally started to leaf out. I am very relieved. I think they will be outstanding next time... this tiny flower is a favorite.

Donna {{gwi:430581}}From ~~~ H I P P E A S T R U M S ~~~ 2 0 0 9 / 2 0 1 0
{{gwi:430582}}From ~~~ H I P P E A S T R U M S ~~~ 2 0 0 9 / 2 0 1 0

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Donna,

The pictures I have posted now on my screen are almost identical in color. I wonder if it's my screen?

I've noticed the shape of mine is a bit different than a lot of others I have seen, I would love to swap pollen next time they bloom? Or when I get a bulblet I would be more than happy to send it to you!? I wonder if it's possible that there were more than one form they used out of the bunch of seedlings when they were picking? IDK

I will take more pictures tomorrow outside :)

Josh

Here is another picture where you can see the coloring of the reticulation. AND DONNA, of course I don't mind if you post your pictures here, it makes me happy :)

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See how much sharper the red lines are on yours...it will be interesting to compare the next time mine blooms. Anyway, you've hot one beautiful flower there, and now I bet you wish you had ordered more than one!

Donna

Hello!
The differential appearances of the flowers does only reflect the variability, that it is already being perceived in the florets of H.papilio. Depending on the state of the bulb, and on the environmental conditions.

Donna,

I know, I'm kicking myself now :( It's just beautiful and even more so in person! I've pollinated 5 times now with Hippeastrum reticulatum var. striatifolium, we will see how it goes!

Josh

Josh, that bloom is beautiful - you can clearly see Papilio in it.

Donna, can't wait to see the re-bloom on yours. Do you think they bloom better when they're more established? I guess because of the way I grow mine they never are, so just wondering if that changes things.

Alana

Alana,

I do think that they'll bloom a bit better when they're more established, yes, but I think they bloom well if they're unpotted and repotted in the spring. I think the most important thing is that they get a good season of growth so they're strong enough to bloom.

I've read several places that Hippeastrum start producing their inflorescence two seasons in advance, does anyone have more information on this topic?

Josh

I do think they will bloom fine if potted and unpotted as long as they've a nice long, hot. well fed summer in the sun. My bulb was stressed when I bought it and very tiny. I have no boubt that once it has many months with leaves to nourish the bulb it will do beautifully...much better than it's first show. Although I will say I think there were more than 5 flowers on at least one of the two stalks. The color was great though, quite yellow. Lots to look forward to but I don't expect my Graffiti to bloom until next year as the leaves just started to grow after all summer growing roots. Strange, but it seems alright now. It even appears to have a bulbet starting, one lone leaf against the edge of the pot.....can't think of anything prettier than a whole pot of these!

Donna

Hi, Hans, Thank you for your helpful (as always) information...My Graffiti's roots are already filling up the entire pot which it only 5" deep x 4" wide..there is still at least 3/4 to 1 inch of room around the bulb to the inside of the pot as can be seen in my picture. Would I be wise to leave it in it's current pot or move it to a larger pot now. The leaves are only 7" tall so it has a lot more leaf growing to do. The roots are showing at the bottom hole of the pot. I was going to re-pot it to a larger pot next summer, or should I do it now. Thanks, Your advice is always appreciated....!

Donna

Graffiti's roots are already filling up the entire pot

Good to read this! This behaviour is fortunate and it reflects the genetic handwriting of H.papilio

IF Graffiti produces reliably 2 scapes and/OR 4 flowers per scape from mature bulbs, then I must absolutely obtain one specimen! All-the-more IF this beautiful hybrid is capable of producing numerous seeds - VIABLE seeds notabene!

Re-plant it into a bigger container. The more you wait the more difficult will it become to pull the plant out, on the whole. Hippeastrums that start growing or are growing do not resent for becoming replanted, quite the opposite.

Will Do... Thanks, Donna

Hans,

My bulb had 3 blooms and I'm sure that 4 wouldn't be quite uncommon. It had the starts of a fourth bloom but it didn't quite fill out properly! I'm for sure going to hold onto this one as a breeding parent, we'll see how the seed comes along with the H. reticulatum var. striatifolium, hopefully It produces.

On another note, my pods on my selfed Hippeastrum reticulatum var. s. are about to pop! I'd say two to three more weeks and they'll be ready :)

Josh

Graffiti pics to share:

Flower with the RHS Color Chart
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NOTE: Condition of the bulb, temps/lighting, feeding does affect flower color and shape.

Mature sized "Forced" bulbs can produce at least 2 scapes/bulb.
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It does gives out 4 flowers/scape (average)
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My Graffitis slept (no leaf growth) all through the summer months after blooming. But grew nice roots during those months. Once awake, they first grew nice "stumpy" leaves and finally leafed out nice well behaved compact leaves.
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No seeds were produced this season from the Graffitis.
All attempts failed.

So..... that's common for them to sit all summer with no leaves.... plenty of roots though...and I worried all summer for nothing. Mine has also has sent out 6/7 luxurious leaves. I was really pleased with the color of mine and also the picotee was quite strong. Now if the shape of this year's blooms are like your and Josh's I'll be in seventh heaven...!and...mine is having a baby...!

Donna

This is a beautiful cultivar. I'll add a few of my photos. Mine have bloomed out more "lime" green than yellow. And, as Maria says, most have produced 2 scapes and more than 2 blooms per scape. It is a delightful little bloomer.

Jim

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Beautiful :)

I really want more now!

Simply beautiful...

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I just love everyone's pictures!! Some of you seem to have many more than one....and the height of the stem.... Jim... are some of yours sitting on something or is the height that variable. I think this is just one of the prettiest little flowers. Well, I may only have one, but as I said mine is having a baby....and he/she may already be a proud Papa, only time will tell.....

Donna

Donna,
The height of mine is really variable. I have 2 pots of 3 bulbs and 2 pots of 2 bulbs. I did notice an odd feature of the growing scapes. Most (but not all) of the tallest scapes had 2 flowers. Those with more than 2 flowers had shorter stems. And, to further muddy the waters about Graffiti's growth habits, the tallest scapes were in windows with the greatest amount of direct sunlight!

Jim